Pope John Paul II, in his EasterSunday message, has called for peace in Iraq and resolution to the world's forgotten conflicts which he said threatened "a tragic clash betweencultures and religions".
The pontiff, addressing more than 50,000 pilgrims in arain-dampened St Peter's square and millions watching on television,referred in particular to his "profound grief" at the ongoingconflict in the Holy Land.The violence and bloodshed between Israelis and Palestiniansshowed "no sign of ceasing," he said.
"Let there be an end to the chain of hatred and terrorism, whichthreatens the ordinary development of the human family. May Godgrant that we be free from the peril of a tragic clash betweencultures and religions."
John Paul II was reiterating a key Vatican fear that the US-ledwar on Iraq would be exploited by extremists who would see it as aclash of civilizations, between West and East, between Christiansand Muslims.
The pope's message coincided with the day when Christianscelebrate the resurrection of Christ, three days after hiscrucifixion on Good Friday.
"If Christ did not rise from the dead, not only would our faithbe in vain, but our hope would also be vain, for we would all stillbe held hostage by evil and death," the pope proclaimed in hisaddress, which was followed by his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" (tothe city and the world) blessing in 62 languages.
The pontiff appeared tired but in relatively good form afterpresiding at lengthy holy week ceremonies during which, for thefirst time, he remained seated throughout.
Parkinson's disease andsevere arthritis have left him almost immobile and he now movesabout in public with the aid of a wheelchair.
John Paul II, known to have been deeply pained by the US-led warin Iraq, once again showed his concern for Iraq's people, pleadingthat with international community's help they will become "theprotagonists of the collective rebuilding of their country."
The pontiff, who will be 83 next month, led a tirelessdiplomatic campaign in a vain bid to head off the conflict, sendingenvoys to US President George W. Bush in Washington and to IraqiPresident Saddam Hussein in Baghdad.
He also granted audiences to key politicians including BritishPrime Minister Tony Blair and Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister TareqAziz.
The outbreak of the war left him saddened, aidessaid. However, on Sunday the pontiff appeared to have emerged fromthat personal setback rejuvenated.
"However dark the horizon of humanity may seem, today wecelebrate the radiant triumph of Easter joy... let no one yield todismay and lack of trust," he said.
He also called for peace in other parts of the world "whereforgotten wars and protracted hostilities are causing deaths andinjuries amid silence and neglect on the part of considerablesectors of public opinion."
He referred to the "tragic situation" on the African continent,and "attacks on people's freedom" in the Caucasus, in Asia and inLatin America.
"May faith and love of God make the followers of every religioncourageous builders of understanding and forgiveness, patientweavers of a fruitful inter-religious dialogue, capable ofinaugurating a new era of justice and peace."